How Black Churches Schooled Secular Musicians

 

“Four out of every five leading black vocalists today had their beginnings in the choir or behind the altar”, according to the February 1973 issue of, Sepia Magazine’s, article entitled, “How Black Churches Became A School For Singing Stars”. The article, written by Doris Black, draws attention to the phenomenon of popular black singers who grew up singing gospel in the church, in turn, propelling them to mainstream success. Whether it was jazz, rock, swing or soul, Doris Black, found it an important correlation that these successful black musicians developed their skills in the church, which often gave their music the quintessential soulful, “gospel sound”.
Legendary voices such as Dinah Washington, Sam Cooke, Della Reese, Marvin Gaye, Isaac Hayes, Dionne Warwicke, Roberta Flack, Al Green, Ray Charles, and many more were accredited in the piece as having roots implanted deeply within the church. Black places heavy emphasis on the career of Aretha Franklin who, “sold more gold records than any woman singer ever”, and whose “records are actually bought by more white fans than black.” Aretha’s brother Rev. Cecil Franklin said “You listen to her and it’s just like being in church. She does with her voice exactly what a preacher does with his when he moans to a congregation.” We see this around 2:00 mark of this “Rock Steady” performance, where Aretha makes the audience feel as though they are in the pews of a baptist church service.

All this talk of black musicians who found mainstream success brought to mind a recent episode of ARTST TLK where Pharrell sits down with Spike Lee to discuss everything from Spike’s beginning in film, to the education system, and the Internet. They captivated my attention when the topic of music was brought up. Around the 21:30 mark, Spike Lee tells Pharrell that he believes music is the highest form of art and that: “Musicians are the closest to God.”
After that the conversation takes a turn and the two creatives talk about popular black musicians who grew up in church but went on to make great secular music.

Whether these artists who came up in the church lost their faith or just have a hard time finding the balance of singing about God while making “the devil’s music” it’s interesting how the same applies today. Several mainstream artists whose music has a level of depth and soulfulness cite their origins in church, or their spirituality as the reason for their success and ability to connect with something deep within the hearts of listeners.

Franklin emphasizes this point, “The college kids where I perform want honesty in their music and that’s what soul is all about. I always try to direct a message direct to the audience when I sing, and maybe they appreciate this.”

Pharrell himself cites his musical beginnings in church. We’ve heard Pharrell’s voice all over new music in 2013, most particularly providing his vocal talents on two of the summer’s biggest hits: Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” and Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines.” Doris Black would agree that Pharrell’s church upbringing is important to his success because feature tracks and mainstream hits aside, a great deal of his songs have a deep levels of soul to them. They are encouraging and uplifting. The single off Nothing alongside his N.E.R.D bandmates “God Bless Us All” can bring any listener going through hard times out of the darkness.

John Legend, who has won numerous Grammy awards for his vocal capabilities, came up in the church and honed his singing skills their as early as age seven by singing in the choir in his hometown of Springfield, Ohio. In fact, we’ve seen a direct reference to a church setting in the video for one of his earlier hits alongside Kanye West “Used to Love U.” Even the R&B sensation who everyone loves to hate, Chris Brown, had his vocal beginnings in his church choir by way of Tappahannock, Viginia.
In her Sephia article Doris Black provided a quote from Ray Charles on Aretha Franklin stating, “She didn’t have to be made into a great singer.” Black followed with, “But it took the black church to provide her with the vehicle to greatness and to earn her deserved accolade as ‘Queen of Soul'”.

Was Doris Black onto something? What would these artists sound like without their gospel influence? Would their success have turned out the same had they not started in the church? Would they even have found a place in music?